Improving Operations and Long-Term Safety of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Interim Report

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• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Year: 2000
• eBook ISBN: 9780309183765
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Physical Sciences

The National Research Council convened a committee of experts to advise the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on the operation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a geologic repository for disposal of defense transuranic (TRU) waste near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The committee was asked to provide recommendations on the following two issues: (1) a research agenda to enhance confidence in the long-term performance of WIPP; and (2) increasing the throughput, efficiency, and cost-benefit without compromising safety of the National TRU Program for characterizing, certifying, packaging, and shipping waste to WIPP.The committee has written this interim report to provide DOE with recommendations on several issues that the committee believes merit immediate consideration and action. In developing this report, the committee has been guided by the principle of "e;reasonableness"e; with respect to risks, costs, and the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle. In the committee's judgment, implementing the recommendations contained in this report will contribute to the continued safe operation of WIPP.

Table of contents

• COVER PAGE
• THE NATIONAL ACADEMICS
• Committee on the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
• Board on Radioactive Waste Management
• Commission on Geosciences, Environment, and Resources
• Acknowledgments
• Preface
• Contents
• Summary
• Introduction
• Baseline Radiogenic Analysis of Subsurface Fluids
• Transuranic Waste Management Program
• References
• Appendix A Background Information
• Assessment of Long-Term Performance
• DOE Management of TRU Waste
• Appendix B Joint USNRC and EPA Guidance on Mixed Waste
• Appendix C Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
• Appendix D Acronyms